AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE DESTRUCTION OF MEMORIALS TO TRAFFIC FATALITIES; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; TO REGULATE THE PLACING OF MEMORIALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Any person who destroys, defaces or removes a memorial at the site of a traffic fatality on the side of any public highway, road or street shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined no more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and shall be ordered to make restitution.

(2) A memorial placed on the side of a public highway, road or street must be in a place where it does not obstruct the right of way and does not create a safety hazard. If a memorial is placed on private property, the permission of the property owner is required.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.